BlackWing and Belle-V: Excellent product design is not a matter of dimensions
This year again, the Red Dot Award: Product Design proves that good product design is not a matter of dimensions. From fashion and accessories as well as consumer electronics to vehicles, household aids and furniture – the best innovations are awarded with the Red Dot in 31 product categories. Two examples of the enormous diversity of the product submissions are the bottle opener Belle-V and the sports aircraft BlackWing. Both were recently honoured with the Red Dot: Best of the Best, the highest distinction of the Red Dot Award: Product Design.
Elegant and functional reinterpretation of the bottle opener
The design of Belle-V questions the notion of a bottle opener by following a radical approach. The reinterpretation by the American manufacturer Belle-V LLC leaves behind both the all too familiar form of bottle openers and the reduction to an item of purely utilitarian purpose. The refined design of the Belle-V bottle opener thus draws new attention to an otherwise common object – turning an everyday tool that usually receives little attention into a highly covetable accessory for displaying on the table. Featuring a shiny surface that is pleasing to the touch, it also appeals to the senses and makes an emotional connection with the user. The experts of the Red Dot jury describe the bottle opener in their statement as an elegant solution for a fundamentally simple problem: “The Belle-V is highly functional and adopts the appearance of a refined accessory. With its eye-catching surface, it rests snuggly and perfectly balanced in the hand. This product is both timeless and durable.”
Modern and pioneering approach to design
The innovative concept of the sports aircraft BlackWing by the Swedish manufacturer BlackWing Sweden AB is based on over 20 years of research in high-performance aerodynamics. It is made of TeXtreme, an extremely strong and very lightweight carbon fibre material made in Sweden, which lends the aircraft high stability while maintaining a low weight. The weave has been left visible under the wings and fuselage, serving as a design element that lends the exterior an aesthetic appearance. The sports aircraft convinced the Red Dot jury with outstanding qualities in both technology and design: “Its strength lies in the consistently implemented aerodynamic lines as well as many other perfect detail solutions. This aircraft demonstrates that adopting a different approach toward designing technical products can yield unique results.”
